Weeks pass and eventually Jushiro is released from recovery. During that time however, Daisuke had found that the number of missions he was given was drastically increased. He was practically running himself ragged with a combination of not only Hollow exterminations in the Rukon but frequent trips to the World of the Living. Part of that was without a doubt punishment handed down from Lieutenants Kotetsu and Kotsubaki.
He accepted each one of them without complaint. But he had found that upon his return from an extended mission in the Rukon that the advance force had returned from the World of the Living and news of the betrayal of Orihime Inoue began to spread through the ranks. Daisuke had met the girl once before and while she had seemed a bit strange...she certainly wasn't a traitor. She didn't seem the type to him.
But Daisuke doesn't reflect on it too much with the final fight looming on the horizon. A sigh escapes him as he adjusts his position, the white tsuka of Tenshi leaning against his neck as he does so. "Rose Colored Path," reads Daisuke, examining he book in his hand. It was one that Shunsui had sent him off with...repayment for picking up the bill in the bar those weeks ago. "Might as well have a look...after all, he went through the trouble of signing the thing."
He cracks open the book and dives right in, not paying much attention to things going on around him. He'd just come back from a mission in the World of the Living and while it hadn't offered any fighting, he just wanted to take a moment to rest before being sent off again. There's a loud 'smack!' moments before Daisuke's head jerks forward. "There you are!" exclaims a voice from behind. "I've been looking all over for you, idiot."
"Can I do something for you, Renji?"
"Not really. Just thought I would see what you've been up to. Whole Seireitei is talking about your bar fight with Captain Kyoraku and Ukitake. I didn't know you were such good friends with them."
"Yeah." Renji is silent for a few moments, not saying a word as he stares off into the distance. "Something on your mind? You seem a little...preoccupied." The man shakes his head. "Alright, what's wrong?"
"You met Orihime, right?"
"Yeah."
"Did she seem like a traitor to you?"
"Honestly...I think she'd die before she'd willingly betray Ichigo and her friends. But that's my opinion and I've been wrong before, you know."
"Ain't that the truth?" A loud 'whap!' sounds as Daisuke smacks Renji on the head with the book given to him by Shunsui.
"You got anymore smart remarks there, wiseass?" Renji doesn't respond and Daisuke sets the book down. "What is it, Renji? What aren't you telling me?" Again, he doesn't respond and Daisuke smacks him in the back of the head, causing him to look over at the man sharply. "Earth to pine-apple."
"Yeah, sorry." After a moment Daisuke sighs.
"I'll go with you, Renji."
"What?"
"Don't play dumb...well, dumber, anyway." A scowl appears on Renji's face in response. "You're going after her, and I'll be going along with you. I always do, after all." Renji shakes his head immediately.
"I appreciate you volunteering, and I'm sure that Ichigo will as well...but the chances of us coming back alive are slim to none. There's no need for both of us to throw our lives away, Daisuke. Stay here." Before he could argue with the man he heard someone call from below. Both glance over the edge at Jushiro only moments before dropping.
"Yes, Captain Ukitake?" ask both men at once.
"Oh, Lieutenant Abari, I had no idea you were here at the Division," speaks Jushiro, smiling. "How are you today?"
"Fine, Captain. Thank you for asking," replies Renji. "I should be going, now. I have some important matters to attend to."
"We're not finished, Renji," interrupt Daisuke, earning a glare from his friend.
"Not now, Tenth Seat Arata," replies Renji. He scowls in response and watches the man depart.
"Everything alright?" asks Jushiro, watching the man depart.
"Just fine, Jushiro," Daisuke tells him. "Can I ask you something?" Jushiro nods. "When you met Orihime Inoue, what was your opinion of her? I mean, did she seem trustworthy to you?"
"It's hard to say. I only met her for such a short time but...she didn't seem like the kind of person to betray the Soul Society, let alone her friends. Is that what's bothering you, Daisuke?"
"No, Jushiro. Just curious, that's all." After a moment of silence Daisuke sighs. "Is there something you would like for me to do?"
"Yes. Another mission to the World of the Living, if you'd like it."
"I'll take it."
"I knew that you would. You'll leave tomorrow and it'll be a three day mission, so pack for an extended stay in the World of the Living..."
- - World of the Living - -
The morning came early for Daisuke, who hadn't slept the whole night since speaking to Renji. He is concerned for his friend...but he cannot be of any help to him. After all, how do you help someone who doesn't want you to? The young Shinigami pushes those thoughts from his mind as he watches the soul cross over as a result of the Konso. There would be time to reflect on things later. A sudden howl pierces the air and he sighs. "So much for a peaceful mission," mutters Daisuke.
His Flash-Step carries him in the direction of the Hollow. In the blink of an eye he's appeared standing across from the creature in the middle of a now abandoned construction site. The Hollow charges him mindlessly, too far gone in it's own hunger to recognize the difference in strength between the two. However, that is as far as it gets as Daisuke leaps skyward moments before a flash of red completely pulverizes the earth.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that a Cero had been fired at him. He disappears as another is fired, appearing on the roof of a building several meters away with ease. Not just one, but two Adjuchas stand across from him. "Something I can do for you two?"
'Slaughter those insolent creatures, boy!' demands Tenshi. 'They aren't worthy to stand in my presence!' Daisuke ignores her ranting rather then telling her to hush down, in order to focus on the two of them.
"You...I'd recognize that scent anywhere!" exclaims one of them. "You killed our big brother!"
"Who? Me?" After a moment he smirks a bit. "Yeah, I did. Let me guess, you two are here to avenge him, right?"
"I am Dokohan...and this is Vladi. You will pay dearly for your transgression, Shinigami," speaks the other. Daisuke grips the white tsuka of his Zanpakuto a bit tighter and then flicks his head over his shoulder and turns his back to them. "Are you running away?"
"No. But I'd like to take this fight somewhere else. We don't want any innocent people to get caught up in our fight."
"...Very well. It makes no difference to me, Shinigami." The three figures disappear, two using Sonido and one Flash-Step as they race across the city below. When they come to a stop, the greenery of a forest stretches out below them rather then the cold concrete of the city. "Is this acceptable to you?"
"Yeah. This should do just fine." He smirks again. "Otsuge no Inori!" The release of not just the full strength of his Spiritual Pressure but two who are easily of Lieutenant strength is enough to attract some attention...so Daisuke resolves to finish the fight as quickly as possible. Still, ONE Adjuchas had severely wounded him...would he be able to handle two of them at the same time?
"Are you-" The Adjuchas grunts loudly as a blow to the back stumbles him forward. The other turns and receives a powerful kick to the ribs and sends him skidding backwards through the air. Daisuke lightly grips the tsuka of his weapon before Flash-Stepping out of their sight again. "Why you...huh?!" The Adjuchas glances down sharply at Daisuke, kneeling in front of him with the tsuka of his Zanpakuto near his temple.
"Die!" exclaims Vladi, moments before a Cero strikes Daisuke broad-side. "Hahah! Wiped him- graaahha!" His arm is severed at the shoulder, the now useless appendage plummeting to the earth in a shower of black blood. He presses his hand to the wound, whirling around to find Daisuke standing with his back to the man. "You...how can you still be alive?! I killed you!"
"Is that what you think?" asks Daisuke. "Even I have to admit, I was a bit sloppy in excusing it..." He exposes his severely burned right arm. "...after all, I haven't ever used it on an actual opponent. But I can assure you that I am very much alive, Vladi."
"Was that an illusion?" asks Dokohan.
"Nothing that complicated. The name of the technique is 'Utsusemi'. What you thought was me...was actually nothing more then an after-image."
"Damn you!" exclaims Vladi. Daisuke turns, meeting Vladi's attack with his own despite the horrible burn on his right arm. They trade several quick blows before he Flash-Step's away again to avoid Dokohan...still, he's too slow to fully avoid the attack and his hip is laid open to the burn. He ignores the searing pain, focusing all his energy and attention on fending off the two Adjuchas.
Though he's dealt such a grievous wound to one of them, it doesn't seem to phase him. Daisuke grunts as a set of claws lays open his rib cage and he arches in the opposite direction to receive a wound to his left shoulder. He out-maneuvers the two and deals a powerful blow to the back of Vladi's head that sends him tumbling towards the forest below before turning to the rapidly approaching Dokohan. A single slash appears on the Adjuchas' forearm as he shields himself.
Daisuke Flash-Step's away to avoid a Cero from below, trading several rapid blows with Dokohan as Vladi rushes skyward towards the battle. He's pushing himself to the limits of his speed to out maneuver the two of them. They're far faster then their 'big brother' and it's an adjustment compared to the weaker Hollow's he's been fighting. Every move has to be perfect as he flows from offense to defense.
Again and again the clashes with the twosome, earning several more wounds to arms and legs as he does so. His right arm is killing him, the burns preventing him from using the full strength in his attacks. It isn't until the prayer beads on his wrist begin glowing a bright gold that he knows the fight is on even ground. Tenshi is ready to fight them seriously.
"Yes!" He barely catches the red-flash out of the corner of his eye and turns. "Rend!" The wave of golden energy collides with the Cero and instead of cutting through it, the two explode.
They are definitely stronger then their 'brother' as well, even wounded. Daisuke Flash-Step's away, putting distance between the explosion as he expends his senses. 'Behind, boy!' He turns, cutting a wide arc as he sends another wave of golden energy barreling towards the wounded Adjuchas. Again the Cero and his Rend collide, exploding violently as they cancel one another out. 'Show him the extent of your speed, boy. Out-maneuver him.'
The young Shinigami does just that, Flash-Stepping this way and that to create multiple copies of himself. "Wha...stand still!" Two Cero's sail through the center of the copies and only moments before Daisuke strikes. Vladi senses his presence and turns to find Daisuke standing only a few feet from him. At point blank range and with only a moment to think about it...he has no way to react as his world turns a bright gold. A loud, ragged scream is torn from his throat moments before he's completely obliterated by the powerful attack.
"One down...one to go." Dokohan strands in stunned silence...only moments before his Spiritual Pressure increases in strength.
"You bastard...You bastard! You've killed my brother!"
"Yeah. Both of them, now," replies Daisuke without any emotion in his voice. "Only one left to go by my count...but don't worry. You get to meet them again in the Soul Society." The Adjuchas snarls and disappears with an exceedingly fast Sonido. The two trade several blows, turning round and round in the night sky as they clash.
"I'm going to kill you slowly! You hear me, Shinigami?!"
"Hard not to, Dokohan." The two clash again and again, Shinigami against Hollow, in a battle as old as time itself. Dokohan is no longer content with victory...he wants blood. He wants to kill the man who put both of his 'brothers' to the sword. He doesn't bother to dodge or parry Daisuke's attacks as he rains blows on his boney body. "Hnnuh!" grunts Daisuke, bringing Otsuge no Inori down onto his claws. There's a resounding 'clang!' as the weapon it knocked from his hands. "Shi-" His claws bite deep into Daisuke's stomach.
"Hahah! I've- What?!" The figure disappears and Dokohan's eyes widen. "No-" A blade pierces his bony mask, jutting out between his eyes and covered in black blood.
"Unh...agghhah...h...how...?"
"I've already told you the name of that technique, Dokohan, and I will not repeat myself to a simple Hollow. Goodbye." He withdraws the blade as the man's eyes roll up into his skull and he purifies...into the form of a middle-aged man. "I see...you've committed sins that I cannot purify." In the distance a set of black gates appear, decorated with skills and bones and held shut with a large chain. He slowly returns Otsuge no Inori to her saya as the gates of Hell begin to open.
"Wha...What...no! No! Stay away!" exclaims Dokohan, turning and fleeing from the gates. The hands rush right past Daisuke, paying him no mind and causing a shiver to run through his frame as he senses the malice contained in them. Only once before had he laid eyes on the black gates and it had been an experience burned into his mind as the screaming soul was drug right past the gates into the depths of Hell.
This time was no different. He screamed and begged all the way into the gates slammed closed behind him and disappeared. Daisuke shudders a second time...before pitching forward towards the earth. Blood loss and fatigue have finally caught up with him. He's stopped mid-fall by a familiar figure. "Impressive, Daisuke," speaks Kisuke. "Truely impressive..."
"Unh...nuh," grunts Daisuke, slowly coming to. He stares up at the ceiling of a room he could recall from weeks ago and then looks over at the door to the room. "Hello? Is anyone there?" The door slides open a moment later and Yoruichi steps inside.
"I see you're awake," speaks Yoruichi. "You know, this is twice now we've had to scoop you up after a fight, Daisuke. It's starting becoming something of a habit, wouldn't you say?" It was obvious that she was teasing him.
"Well, you know...unh..." Daisuke grunts loudly as he leans up in the futon. "...what can I say? What with your amazing bed-side manner, I can't help but get myself beat up so that I can enjoy it, Yoruichi." The woman smirks a bit in response.
"Smartass brat."
"Someone once told me that it's a rather endearing trait."
"She must have been pretty wise then."
"She is. Maybe I'll introduce you to her sometime."
"Smartass." Daisuke chuckles in response to her insult. "Anyway, Kisuke went out while Tessai was treating your wounds. He should be back soon, so just rest and recover." The young Shinigami looks out the window at the darkness and then nods.
"Fine. I can continue my mission tomorrow." The door is opened again and Kisuke steps into the room.
"Good to see you're awake," speaks Kisuke. "You'd have taken quite the face plant if I hadn't caught you."
"Ain't that the truth. I owe you for that one, Kisuke...but Instead of catching me next time do you think you could lend me a hand? If I were any slower those two would have killed me without a doubt."
"You looked like you had things under control."
"Oh, so that's how it is, huh, Kisuke?"
"Don't be like that. I've watched over you the past two days-"
"Whoa! Past two days? I thought I was only out for a few hours! I need to get out of bed and get back to work!"
"Don't worry about that." Kisuke approaches and sits down beside Yoruichi. "I've had Yoruichi watching over you while I was out looking over the city. YOU just need to relax and recovery. I have a feeling things are only going to get worse, Daisuke."
"To Hell with that. I need to- ouch!" He arches in the opposite direction of the pain and groans again as crimson begins to pull on the bandages around his torso. He looks over at Yoruichi...and then Kisuke who's finger-tip is covered in blood. "Oh, come on, Kisuke! Did you really just..." His body begins to go numb as the drug starts to take effect and he falls flat onto his back, vision swimming.
"You're right, Yoruichi. He falls for it every time...!"